#ekko's stronger than me i would have never left

[maniacace]

two consecutive reactions to arcane s2ep7, an exhibit

[blkbbyprincess]

wutiwant

*creakcreakkkkkkcreakcreakcreakk*

yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking; sounds of such could be heard coming from your bedroom located in the firelights’ base where your big brother; ekko built sanctuary for zaunites who were struggling to have purpose in life and needed a bit of help and hope to get to a better place in it.

ekko was now well aware of you and vi’s “entanglements” as he would call them, because he’d usually find you two tangled up in your sheets late at night, giggling and breathing a little heavier than usual.

imagine the awkward first conversation between you and your elder brother after he finally connected the dots to find out you two were fucking each other.

it wasn’t even really surprising to him though, he knew you were into girls; and it was obvious considering vi was your first crush, but he just wished you guys wouldn’t go at it while he was trying to sleep.

back in the day, you and vi would always find ways to sneak off with one another back in your early teen years and sit atop the rooftops on zaun and hold hands while swinging your feet off the tallest building you could find. a few more instances of this, and that’s how you ended up with your first real kiss.

you two never really ended up together though; fearing a relationship could make things complicated in the future.

because living in zaun meant that your life wasn’t guaranteed for a long time, so you both decided to push back stronger feelings for one another emotionally, and instead started to mess with each other in other ways when you got older.

little sloppy makeout sessions in vi’s bedroom turned into her eating you out until you saw stars for the first time in your own room.

you don’t even think your rose had ever given you an orgasm like that before.

after that time, it seemed she was getting a bit comfortable coming in your room, that she’d pop up unannounced after doing gosh knows what in a day. maybe she liked the fact that your room was decorated with cute homemade fairy lights what were just bright enough to illuminate the room in the dark and capture your twisted facial expressions while looking you dead in your eye to make sure she was fucking you right.

this time, she was holding your left leg up from the underside of your knee joint, as she fucked you on your side, so pathetically slow and passionately with a cute dark pink strap that you picked out; dragging her toy in and out of you so deep, that you could have sworn you could feel it touching your liver.

“y-yesss, -hgnnnnn mama pleaseee keep going.”

she began to kiss you up and down your neck as she had her hand intimately intertwined with one of yours above your head.

your whimpers and gasps were nothing you could control at the moment because of the intense intimacy. you’re sure vi definitely wanted to hear a little more than that, but shut you up to avoid yet another noise complaint. without even realizing it, you were back to being loud again, so she hushed you with two of her thick fingers that touched your mouth in a “shushh” motion before pushing them in your mouth, making you gasp and clinch around the length.

“doin’ so good for me mama, ‘m i making you feel good, hmm?”

she temporarily removed her fingers from you mouth to allow you to respond as best as you could, but you were getting fucked so good, you were a bit delayed at first; because you couldn’t even tell that she was talking to you before you moaned “y-yesss m-ma’ammm-oh fuck.”

this look on your face was making that so hard for her, you were trying to look back at her innocently while reaching back with your free hand; arching your back a little more.

she momentarily took her hand that was in your mouth, and grabbed the back of your head to push your head into the sheets a bit more to get a better view of your arch; smudging your mascara.

guess it was a little too much for her, because all she could think in that moment was; “babies, babies, babies.”

so much for trying not to cum too quick.

“ah, s-shittt, you’re about to make me cum cupcake, keep doing that and i’ll make you a m-mmh momma.”

realistically you both knew the closest thing you’d get to a child from her was a baby doll, but it was fun to imagine you being pregnant because of her.

her pace sped up inside you with the strap, but you weren’t even realizing because you were too busy trying to keep up with how she was rubbing your clit at the same pace with the hot, wet fingers she had previously stuffed in your pretty mouth.

she could see your pretty, pink painted toes curling up and your face convulsing in all sorts of ways, letting her know it was about that time you were about to let it alll out.

“o-ohmygodddd vi, s-slow downnn, i’ts tooo m-muchhh.”

“i-i can’t baby, fuckkkkk- this pussy’s too good.”

a few more thrusts and you’ve made a hugee mess everywhere, and vi is kinda pissed she didn’t even get to see your face while doing it because she had her head thrown back with her slitted eyebrows furiously furrowed; accidentally cumming at the same time as you.

“shit, i think we gotta start over, ‘didn’t get ta’ see you cum.” she mumbled to herself.

you were too fucked out to even respond back; your pussy was still sore and sensitive from your recent orgasm, yet you found comfort in vi’s strap that was still in you afterwards, before she carefully slipped it out.

vi tiredly tossed the strap to to ground to deal with at a later time; but for now, she damn sure wasn’t finished. she was determined she made sure she saw you cum this time.

vi pressed her lips against yours, as she gently scooped her arm underneath your waist and flipped you with ease onto your back; getting a good view of your pussy.

vi grabbed your thighs and hiked them up to your chest so she could get a better view; and gosh did she have one. without a second thought, she slid a finger in, and then dragged it out; repeating the motion.

“look mami, she’s already making noi-.”

*knock knock*

with two quick knocks and no warning whatsoever, a swift motion of the door opened to your room to reveal your brother; ekko, who was dressed in a ribbed white tank top with a pair of fuzzy shorts and was holding a plate of your favorite dish; cheese toast.

“sis, you’d never guess what heimerd-“

there wasn’t even enough time for the two of you to properly react and get yourselves covered; as if he hadn’t known you two messed around, but that wasn’t the point, it was still embarrassing to have your brother walk in on you at a rather vulnerable time.

“s-shit!” you slurred; trying to sit up as vi’s fingers were still in you; mimicking a scissor cutting motion. vi whipped her head around to the surprise of your big brother at the door with genuine disbelief in his face as he had walked in on you two “handling” each other.

again.

vi slid her fingers put of your sopping hole and pulled your legs from your chest with a groan; she was just getting started again and was irked that she was rudely being interrupted. she pulled the cover up over your legs, and you instinctively lowered your legs down.

blocking your frame with her intricately tattooed back facing your brother, she gestured her head to somewhat face ekko’s way, with her body towards you still; eyes flickering between you and him.

“we’re a bit busy, little man.” she said with a slight smirk. you could hear it in her voice that she was a bit amused at how embarrassed you got as soon as he walked in; it was kinda cute seeing you all worked up over something that you knew she’d take care of.

“im already knowin’, considering you two cant seem to stay out of each other’s beds.”

“and it seems like you can’t seem to mind the business that pays you.” vi responded with a laugh.

“touché, i’ll have a comeback later though, it doesn’t seem like now’s the time to get to cooking on y’all.”

“i heard they’ve got good ones on google, now close the door; and if i were smart, i’d put some headphones on.”

“and if you were smart, you’d stop playing and date my sister already.” ekko said with a smirk; already having known about you two’s “arrangement” to only be fuck buddies, but with tension like that; there was no way you two didn’t want to be together.

vi damn near had to pick her jaw up off the floor, but she knew that he was right; oh how she wanted to call you her girlfriend, but didn’t want to rush your or make you feel like you had to change your mind on a mutual agreement.

“might have to strangle you after that one ‘ko.” she tried her best to keep a playful composure, when she knew good and well what he said seriously got her thinking and she couldn’t even be mad at him for saying anything either.

“time to mind the business that pays me!” and with that he grabbed the doorknob with one hand, and used the other to sit the slightly warm plate of toast on the near surface before strolling out with a giggle, closing the door shut behind him.

something about what ekko said made vi feel bad; because she wasn’t able to properly give you the love she felt like you deserved; yet you always chose her. of course she’d always choose you, but she wouldn’t be upset if you wanted to be happy with someone who had their shit together.

whatever did she do to deserve you.

once she figured ekko had been long gone from the door, she snapped out of her thoughts and turned back to you, once again giving you her full undivided attention. “you know i love you, but-“ she started as she stared into your eyes lovingly; yet desperately while reaching for your hands to intertwine them with hers.

“i know baby, i love you too.”

“always.”

this isn’t the first time you’ve said “i love you” to one another; there have been multiple instances with absolute casualty, because it just felt so natural to let vi know that you appreciated her dearly and took in every moment with her; just as she did with you.

so hopefully in the end, it wouldn’t hurt as much when that day had to eventually come for the both of you to say goodbye.

ekko had you thrown off a bit with the sap shit, but it gave you perspective; thinking on your relationship with vi. even thought it wasn’t official, you didn’t feel like you needed a label for everyone else to see how in love you were with her; because she already knew the extent.

you’d seriously never fall back off each other.

you had kissed after saying those three words to one another to really lock in the moment; but once you two pulled away, vi seemed like a completely different woman; there was a look of softness and sensitivity in her eye that you loved, because it proved she felt comfortable enough to feel like she didn’t have to show that strong side of her all the time around you.

you immediately noticed the change in her after the kiss and completely fell in love with her all over again like it was the first time. all kinds of memories between you two just began rushing through your mind making you remember how far you’ve come.

god, if only she knew the kinds of things she did to you.

some kind of way, you grew enough confidence in the moment to let vi know exactly what kind of mood you were in now.

“y’know we’ve got some unfinished business; violet.”

when you said her name; boy, did it send chills down her spine. something about the way you said it, made her pussy twitch with excitement just hearing the dominance in your voice.

but she knew better than to get too distracted quickly; because she knew you better than anyone and also knew how quick you were to find an opportunity to dom her; not that she minded ever or anything, but just not before she got to fuck you good first.

and that’s exactly what she did, because in no time thats how you ended up with two of her fingers back inside you, dragging in and out so slow that it hurt.

she could go a bit faster but what fun was that if she couldn’t see every twist and turn of your face reacting to every push and pull of her fingers?

“v-iiii -ohmygoddddd, h-hurtss-s s-soo good baby.” you were barely able to sit back up; she was about to have your ass handicapped and sore yet again by the end of the night, and all you knew to do was take it.

she fastened her pace with her fingers, and the pleasure was getting to be a lot for you, so you didn’t exactly know where to put your hands. instinctively, they threw themselves up to your breasts as she began to squish and squeeze at your nipples.

“ss-soooo goooodd.” you slurred; biting your lip and rolling your eyes back to your skull in a wave of estacy.

vi studied your facial expressions and mannerisms to take note of what really drove you over the edge to save for a later time. but the only thing she was worried about right now was being able to see those eyes of yours cross, as she gave you yet another orgasm that was worth your while.

“looks like i’m about to get exactly what i wanted cupcake, now all you gotta do is cum.”

[alientee]

Shimmer Head

Ekko x reader

6k+ words

Fem reeader

Hazbin hotel Easter egg included. Addicted song describes reader.

Warning: suicidal thoughts and actions, drug use not by choice though.

Im sorry it took so long yall I’ve been crocheting blankets for Christmas and life has been lifting with work

You were an anomaly, or at least that’s what Silco called you. Apparently he saved you at birth; one calm walk through Zaun's lanes, and your mom was an overdosing shimmer head who was getting her last fix before she pushed you out. You survived. This was something Silco never thought possible; even when you looked like a shivering, whining skeleton, you were strong, a survivor, and from that day on, you were his daughter.

As life went on, you got stronger, faster, and a little more insane; your eyes changed, looking like a wild mix of two different colors. You changed so much it confused you every day to see yourself. How the voices in your head would go from telling you to slaughter everyone to offing yourself.

Silco had you microdosed with shimmer ever since you were a newborn till now, and you handled it each and every time. You were his creation, his wild card. Even as a child, he had you by his side with torture, robbing, and meetings. You’ve done it all. There were days the voices really did get to you; sometimes it was better to hurt yourself rather than to crash. You can remember the times Silco had to stop you from hurting him and yourself. The scars on your arms, the bloodstains left on your clothes, the burn scars from throwing bone down without any care, ready to give it all up. Either you survived, or Silco was just in time.

So when you first met Jinx, your first thoughts were, This poor kid, she’s just a dreamer.

But she followed you around everywhere, calling you sis, saying she’d never leave your side, she’d never leave you no matter what. Not like her sister did. You didn’t believe her; how could you? No one but Silco ever saw you; he’s the only one that loved you.

Until she followed you to a club one night.

You spin around in the chair, listening to the grungy punk music, drunk, horny prowlers, angry wannabes, and goofy dancers mixing into the crowd. You sit in your chair in the corner of the club, drink in one hand, revolver in the other. One bullet, one drink—it was all a game to you. The gun clicked three times, and you took three shots before it was snatched from your hand. And lo and behold, it was your new shadow coming to ruin the fun.

“Hey, what gives, Blue Jay!”

“How are you going to be the big shot legacy Silco says if you're dead, dumbass!”

“It’s none of your business!”

“We’re family now, so yeah, you are!”

“You going to love me even if I try to kill Silco in his sleep?”

“I’d still love you even if you killed me with him.”

Family, huh?

“Fine.”

For the first time you didn’t take your game too far, or get fucked up and pass out behind the bar; you didn’t even have a mental breakdown.

At least the voices got quiet for a while.

After a while you started to think of Jinx as a sister. Someone you could confide in, someone who gets you. Was Silco the best dad? Nah, but he was all you had. Now you know he had Jinx too. You thought everything was ok; you could be happy with your found family; even if you were broken, you still had people to fix you up, so everything was fine.

At least you genuinely believed everything was alright.

Until Jinx’s actual sister showed up, calling her Powder, the hugging, the crying, the family reunion was cute. You haven’t seen Jinx this vulnerable in a while. Everything was calm until some Piltie came out, and then the moment was gone. Jinx threatens the redhead with the gun, and boom, the Firelights had you all surrounded.

“Jinx, if you want your sister back, you gotta be smart about this.” The silence you got back let her know she was thinking up something stupid.

Smoke and ash covered the air, bullets flying and fighting at every turn. The firebugs just didn’t know when to quit, always trying to get into business that isn’t theirs. It was fun knocking them off their boards every once in a while. You’ve faced them before with Jinx killed a couple of times; you didn’t kill any of them, though. Never had the guts to really kill innocent people; you didn’t want to know what the voices would say if you did. You didn’t want to lose yourself all the way.

As always, Jinx is shooting bullets every which way in the sky, which wasn’t bad, but using bombs to blow up the platform is very bad. Your body hurt, your ears were ringing, and you could barely breathe. You tried calling out for Jinx but got no answer. You finally dragged yourself up; you can see some fire bugs down, but you couldn’t see Jinx. Couldn’t see her sister. Didn’t even see the body lying dead somewhere.

Huh, you were all alone.

Then it dawned on you: Jinx did it on purpose. She really was a genius, truly. She blew up the platform, making a distraction; a lot of people were down and out. Nobody could see what was happening; some too injured to chase.

Looks like she could only carry her sister to safety, though.

You’ll never leave me no matter what, huh?

Hehehehehe, yeah right!

You could finally breathe again and got the strength to stand up. It was all just so funny, really.

Bunch of bullshit hahahahaha

You didn’t notice anything going on around you, the shuffling of people standing; you didn’t feel all the cautious eyes on you. Not that you cared; all you cared about were the voices screaming at you so loud you could swear your ears were bleeding.

Walking towards the edge of the platform is easy. Turning around and giving a mock salute to the firelights with a smile on your face was easy. But dropping to your death knowing the last thing playing in your headphones was your and Jinx's song, it fucking burned every lyric you tried to sing just turned to ash in your mouth.

But at least now the voices would stop forever. The air rushed through your ears and then nothing.

Out like a light

You woke up in an eerily dark room; honestly, it was predictable. Down to the moldy smell, the silence, and the creepy guy in the corner with a mask. And you honestly should’ve been more mad at yourself for getting saved; you couldn’t even die in peace!

“Why am I alive, dammit!”

The silence was so annoying; there’s no need to try and be intimidating. You’ve seen worse. You hate people who try those tactics; you can’t torture someone who’s already tortured every day. Geez, just kill them if they don’t tell you what you want.

“Look, I’m not going to tell you shit, so just kill me already!”

And then the mask comes off. You don’t know him, but you knew him, apparently jinx’s past. The boy savior, she calls him; he looks just like she said he would. You also remember what she told you about him. “Better watch out; the boy savior likes to think he can save everybody.”

Ok, you can deal with a wannabe hero.

“Your on shimmer. You are an addict; Slico has you do his dirty work, and he gives you your next fix. Am I right?”

You’re really fucking wrong. Scratch that; you didn’t want to deal with the wannabe hero.

“So how about you tell me what I need to know, and you get to lay low somewhere secret and get off that shit before you try and die again while Silco just replaces you?”

The voices started to get louder, your throat tight and blood dripping from your palms for how tight you started to squeeze them. His words were like acid on your skin. Just who did this asshole think he was?

“First of all, dipshit, I’m his daughter! Ok, not some random street rat shimmer head he feeds. Second of all, shimmer makes people stronger. I should know; came right out of my druggie mom, still living and breathing, full of shimmer! I’ve been injected with it since Silco adopted me! He says I’m perfect; he says I'm his legacy. I don’t do his dirty work; I help him make Zaun better! So you're dead fucking wrong, wannabe!”

Now he’s looking at you like you’re crazy…. And you're used to that.

“This is better? Our people are dying all around us. Kids are abandoned! People are sick and starving. How is this better?”

“Blame Piltover! Duh!”

“It’s Piltover. And Silco, are you crazy??!!”

That word. It always did something to you. You didn’t care when people looked at you like you were... but calling you crazy? Different story. Something that made all the voices laugh, an itch in your brain that told you to break, hurt, destroy, kill, and show them your insane.

“FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU! Hahahahahahahahaha. All of Piltover and Zaun is going to burn you, and your fucking bugs are going to be ash! I’m not crazy. I’m perfect. I’m perfect he said”—

Your music!?! Where were your headphones?!!?

You were so numb, in a really dark place, you never fully remembered how your episodes went. When that singed guy injected you with your first microdose of shimmer, all you remembered was the screaming and Silco whispering how proud he was. But Ekko would remember it all even in his dreams. How you banged your head against the pole you were tied against over and over again. Crying tears of shimmer while laughing hysterically until blood dripped on the side of your head. Only to end up sobbing.

The voices screamed and screamed and screamed. Until they stopped, they never just stopped without music or silco. And you never had this heavy feeling over your ears without your headphones.

Oh, it’s this Ekko guy. What is he doing? Why is he holding his hands over your face? Why is he looking at you like that?

“I’m sorry. You’re not crazy. I promise, okay? Breath for me nice and slow.”

This was nice: everything quiet, everything nice and warm. This is new, huh?

“Hey!? Wai”—

Out like a light again

“She’s a danger to the base!”

“We can help her. She’s not like Jinx! She’s the product of a bad situation. She’s not with Silco because she wants to be; it’s because it’s all she knows.”

“She’s a mess; keeping her here is like bringing bullshit to our door!”

“He’s been injecting her with shimmer since she was an infant! We can’t kick her out!”

“Can y'all shut up sleeping here?”

Bat Guy and Ekko just stared at you.

“Look, I don’t care what you do to me; can I just have my damn headphones? The voices, ya know, they’re telling me to escape and kill everyone here. Soooooo, my earphones, pretty please.”

The boy wonder hands them over and puts them over your ears. And even with no music playing, everything feels peaceful. The whole time, he and Bat Boy are still going back and forth; this time you couldn’t hear it, though. Finally you get silence, if only for a moment. You almost bit Ekko when he moved one of them back off.

“Look, let’s compromise: you get a little freedom, supervised. And we get one shimmer shipment location… not the factory, just the shipment.”

“No bullshit babysitters; it’s you or nothing.”

“...fine.”

You could’ve told him to fuck off and die. Make him eat his sappy little words. But after the way he held your ears, he looked like a kicked puppy for making you freak out. How softly he said sorry. It was different; it was new. You didn’t do soft, not that much.Silco always told you to play your enemies, so maybe giving a little bait wouldn’t be too bad.

“Fine, boy wonder, I’ll give you a shipment that’s all.”

“Thank you.”

There he goes, looking at you like that again.

Like some kind of puppy. What a sucker.

Ekko took you outside, but you didn’t want to socialize, so he kept you both at a good distance from the others. While taking you out of the base, you didn’t want to look at anyone. If you saw any leering faces and judging eyes, you knew you’d lash out.

Oddly enough, you didn’t want to smack the fuck out of Ekko's face. Maybe a little bit, not a lot. You didn’t know what it was, but Ekko was calming; his presence was like a warmth in the dark murk of Zaun. You didn’t understand how he could be so... normal with all of this around him.

Maybe it was the fact that he actually took you out of the hideout and onto a roof to look over Piltover. You could’ve knocked him out, taken his board, and run. Why is he so stupidly trusting? “How do you do it?” He raises an eyebrow. “Do what?” You raise one back “Be so happy-go-lucky when we live in a place like Zaun.” That made him stop his steps, and he looks serious; you haven’t seen him unless he’s talking about shipments.

“I have to make a change for the people who can’t help themselves; I want to give people something to live for; the firelight is my way of doing that.”

And there he goes again, making your mind feel funny again. It sounds like he means it; everything Ekko says always sounds genuine, but somehow you can’t bring yourself to believe him.

“Alright then, help me by teaching me how to ride one of those hoverboard things.” Ekko’s eyes get wide, and his mouth even opens a little. “You want to learn? I’ve been trying to get you to do that for a week. What changed?” You didn’t want to let him know the real reason, so you decided to play it off.

“Just thought I could kick your butt at something, boy wonder,” he scoffed. You knew he hated the nickname; it was too fun teasing him to stop, though.

“Alright, alright. If you’re so confident, then I’ll teach you. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when you end up falling off a few times.”

“I’ll be a pro; just you wait and see.”

You were in fact not a pro. Your knees were scuffed, and the dirt on your clothes was a testament to just how many times you hit the dirt. “Sorry this is taking so long; I feel fucking stupid.” Ekko grabs your hands and pulls you up, grabbing the board. “Don’t; it takes everyone a minute to learn this is no different. How do you think I feel? I made it; I had to test it and fall a lot.” You give him a nod, deciding to take the board back with a little more confidence this time. “What a boy genius you are,” you got a snort in return.

“Now, remember, hoverboards are pretty sensitive. You have to find your balance and keep it steady. And be careful not to lean too far to one side or the other, or you’ll tip over.” Ekko watches you carefully as you mount the hoverboard, his arms crossed over his chest. The hoverboard begins to move forward as you lean, slowly at first, but steadily gaining speed.

You could hear Ekko yelling behind you, “There you go, you’re doing great! Just keep your balance and focus on the path ahead.”

“What about turns!? What if I fall??”

“Don’t worry; I’ll be right here to catch you if you fall.”

You got the hang of it after a while; you both went back to the base riding your hoverboard and even racing some of the kids. It was a good time, no responsibilities, no expectations. It still hurt you; there was no Silco, but at least you had distractions.

Ekko seemed to show up when he wasn’t asked; it’s like he knew when to butt into people's business.

He was there during your worst moments of loneliness. When the darkness was too much, when the voices kept repeating the insults louder and crueler. Telling you to kill yourself, that you're nothing, worthless, not good enough, burn the firelight base to the ground, and watch everyone around you die. You’ll only end up alone anyway. The smell of ash and blood, you could remember it by heart. Tears pouring out of your eyes continuously, you didn’t even sob. You had nothing to be sad about in the moment. You just naturally cried, and all you could do was scream, hoping I’d stop. Sitting in the dark waiting for it all to end. Thinking, hoping that just maybe one day you’d be blessed enough not to wake up.

It wasn’t until you felt Ekko's heavy gloves on your shoulder. Asking if you were ok, if you needed anything, if you needed him. Looking at you like you're the only thing that mattered in the moment. Moving to sit next to you, his shoulder lightly touching yours. “You don’t have to talk; just know I’m right here with you. I’m not going anywhere.” Those days were hard, but it always felt nice to have Ekko lying on the floor next to you, no words, just his company.

He even let you into his little workshop. His words: “You don’t have to knock. If you need me, just come in” You’d hand him his tools and use all the knowledge you had on tech to help. You used to make a lot of trinkets that helped your day-to-day life. You didn’t like to make weapons like Jinx, but you could make a mean bomb. You’ve even fallen asleep to his tinkering and his little nerd-out moments. “You're such a dork.” He wouldn’t even take his eyes off his invention.

“Shush if you're not going to help.”

“Touchy touchy. Here, let me look, boy genius.” When you actually put in effort to help him, he’d look at you from the side of his eye, and you’d pretend like you didn’t notice the small smile creeping up on his face. Sitting by his side until late at night, making new things to help out in the base. Both your giggles and the metal clanking were the only things heard at 3 am.

And that’s how it was for a month. Ekko is coming in, trying to coax you into giving up Silco; you give him a little info, and he folds and gives you what you want for the day. You had a good thing going. So why’d he want to ruin it now? You were fine seeing the kids; you made small talk with one of the firelight girls, but that’s it. Everyone else you dealt with in passing. So why was Ekko so set on you interacting with more people?

“How about we hang out with the group for a bit?”

“I’m fine; I hate people.”

“Look, I’m just trying to—“

“I don’t need help! I don't need friends! I—I need my dad; I need…. I need to feel in control. It still feels like I’m a fucking prisoner even if you say I’m not.

Ekko doesn’t talk for a minute; you can tell he’s trying to choose his words wisely, his white locs covering his face. “I don’t know what you see in Silco, even if he took you in…. You can’t tell me you truly see the good in what he’s doing.

You didn’t answer him. Afraid you’ll say something you’ll regret by lashing out. He didn’t get it; he didn’t get you! Silco was your dad; Silco helped you ignore the voices; he loved you even if he had a funny way of showing it.

“He’s not the best dad in the world, but he’s my dad. He helped me when I had no one. Doesn’t that count for something?”

Ekko didn’t answer you; it’s like he wanted to argue, but he knew you needed this.

“Just... just give it a chance; you may find your people.”

If he heard your scoff, he didn’t react to it.

I don’t have people; all I have is my dad and myself, even when I don’t love myself.

Ekko’s soft words pulled you out of your thoughts.

“You have me too.”

“Until how long, hmmm, till I run out of information?”

“That’s no—“

“Hey, Ekko, tell me how I survived the day I jumped.”

Ekko went back silent; he was giving you that look again, and you hated it. It’s like he saw everything within you, and it made you feel naked, like you couldn’t hide.

“Oh that… flew down to save you.”

“Why?”

“When you smiled at us before you fell, I thought you were asking for help.”

You giggled at that; only Ekko would think of saving his enemy who tried to off themselves in front of him. “Your something else, Sunflower.”

“Sunflower!? What kind of flower is that? We don’t have those in Zaun.”

“Alright, take me out or whatever it is you want.”

“D-don’t say it like that. Come on, I’ll introduce you to the kids.”

You never knew Zaun could look like this, or even have a tree, and now the name firelights makes sense: nothing but a lush green tree with the fireflies all around it. It’s peaceful, plush; it’s nice. You got a few looks here and there, but it’s fine; ekkos here, and you weren’t forced to hang out with who you didn’t want to.

And that’s how you spent your day bonding with Ekko and even the kids; they weren’t as judgy, and you appreciated it. Even when they had questions, it didn’t feel pointed. “Why do you always wear those things on your head?” your headphones; you never took them off, never could bring yourself to part from the one thing that helps stop the voices, no matter how battered and dingy they are. “They’re headphones. They help me when I’m scared or upset.” “Oooooh, I get it; my mask helps me! Makes me feel stronger!” “Good, use your strength to become the best firelight you can be.”

That’s how the day started and ended: you playing with the kids, running around, playing tag and hide and seek until the night came. The kids gathered around, using common objects around them to make a little band; music brings a lot of the firelights together, and somebody brings an actual scrap-made speaker playing louder music. Some even start to dance. And in this moment you couldn’t help but think maybe Ekko was right; maybe these people were ok.

You grab the overworking leader by the arm and pull him with you. “What is it?”

“Come on, Ekko, let’s dance!”

“Dance?”

“Yeah, you scared boy wonder?“

“Not at all, but um… why?”

“Who doesn’t like dancing!”

That’s when the music hits and nothing else matters. Ekko moves effortlessly, his body flowing in perfect harmony with yours. He keeps you close, his chest pressed against yours as he twirls you around. The world outside seems to fade away, leaving just the two of you in your own little bubble. Your body’s moving in rhythm as the music gets Ekko pulls you closer, one hand resting on your waist while the other takes hold of your hand, spinning you. He begins to sway gently, guiding you in a slow dance. Holding each other’s sides, swaying back and forth. Every minute you got to look in Ekkos's eyes, seeing him smile at you like that did something to you; he really was something else.

You couldn’t let those eyes shake you, though. You knew it was only a matter of time before it all went to hell; no one really gives a damn about you, no one except Silco. But maybe if you were a better daughter, he would’ve found you by now.

Ekko could only look at you in confusion when you walked away from him, away from the gathering. He thought it was a good moment that he was finally getting through to you. But he wasn’t one to push, not when he knew what you’d been through, but he followed you up the stairs to the treehouse.

And when he found you, the silence was heavy but comfortable. That’s how it was with you too, and you’d never say it out loud, but he made you feel safe.

“Do you want to stay here?”

You timidly glanced into his eyes before you took a deep breath. “I don’t know,” you looked away, closing your eyes, trying to stop yourself from getting out of hand. Ekko hummed, leaving more silence in between you both, and then he asked another, “Even if you know Silco loves you, it isn’t healthy.”

You opened your eyes as a bitter taste remained in your mouth. Your face contorted into different expressions as you debated with yourself on whether or not you would share.

“My mother was a shimmer addict; she had me right as she overdosed. And Silco found me; I was different; I survived even with a small, premature body full of shimmer. He said I was unique, that I could change all of Zaun. I believe him. I’ve done a lot of great things… at least I think so. Even if you don’t agree with him, he saved me.

“But you're not okay—

“Don’t tell me what I am! I’m perfect as I am; he said so! I may not be normal, but I am living instead of surviving, Ekko! Can’t you see that?”

“I do. But you know what else I see? I see how happy you are riding your board; I see how sweet you are with the kids, especially when you steal yarn from the top side and crochet stuff for them; I see how you care for Raven when you think she’s not looking by finding her favorite things to surprise her without letting her know it was you; I see how you truly care for the people you're loyal to. You touch people's lives and leave light in your wake. I see how beautiful you are inside and out. You’re your own person, not what Silcos made you! You can do better than what he has you doing.”

“Is that what you’ve come up with in your mind? That I’m just this lost, misguided girl who was groomed to be fucked up? News flash! Boy Wonder, I’m in Zaun. I was going to be fucked up regardless of Silco! Who do you think I am, huh? Don’t act like you know me, 'cause you don’t! Stop trying to change me into something I’m not! I’m not some knockoff version of Jinx you can fix just because I decided to be nice a few times. What?! I’m your little powder passion project. Couldn’t save her, so you’re trying to save me because we both have family, daddy, and abandonment issues?!”

You knew it was a low blow, but even though she left you, you couldn’t help but think about Jinx’s words, taking them to heart, and everything she told you. “He likes to think he can save everyone.”

He narrowed his eyes at your response; you could see him clenching his fist and clenching his teeth. His eyes no longer looking at you with acceptance or worry like you were used to, only irritation

“I wasn’t trying to change her; I thought she was in danger. I didn’t know she went with that piece of shit willingly…. I thought I could save her; I needed to because she was my friend.”

“Ohhhhh, that’s right, you’re the boy savior!”

His eyes went from a glare to cold and lifeless.

“Fuck you. You know nothing; you only know Jinx's pain but not mine. You’re right about one thing, though: you and Jinx are similar. So I don’t know why I was stupid enough to try and help you; just like her, you don’t deserve it.” That just pissed you off more.

“I didn’t ask you to help me! I didn’t ask for you to save me from offing myself! I didn’t ask for you to try and fucking fix me or my life!”

“I’m not trying to change you; I’m trying to give you something better! A chance! Silco didn’t give you a chance; he used you! Your work, a tool! If you survived on shimmer this long since birth, you're proof that his product can lead to something greater than he thought. But it’s at the expense of you and your health.” His voice lowers, his breathing heavy. “Please… tell me you see it. You have to know that keeping you on shimmer as long as he has wasn’t to help you. Only him.”

In the back of your mind you knew; you always knew. And yet the faith he put in you gave your heart love you’ve never felt before. How he always stated he was proud of you, said you were the best thing to happen in his life, that you're his legacy, his daughter. But what was the cost for your heart, suicidal thoughts, breakdowns, nightmares, and dissociation? A mother that never wanted you, a father that loved you but not enough to see your pain, only your potential. “Hey Ekko, thank you. For saving me and making me realize. I don’t want people to end up like me... because I’m not ok.”

“Then let me he“—”. He didn’t get to finish before you pushed back, making him crash into the tree behind him. You jumped from the stairs on the tree; you didn’t care about the fall because it’s the freest you ever felt. You could hear the other fireflies yelling, but the adrenaline and the wind in your ears helped you ignore them. As soon as you fell, you pushed forward, not caring about the pain in your legs and ankles. Grabbing a hoverboard before speeding off and out of the hideout.

When Ekko got up, he didn’t chase you, nor did he call out for you; all he could do was watch. Scar rushed up to him, looking at him expectingly. “She’s going to go back to Silco!? We have to catch her before she rats us out!?” Ekko didn’t react to his words, only looking forward to where you had run. “Ekko!” And when Ekko finally looked at Scar, he just shrugged. “She’ll be back when she’s ready.” “She’s not coming back." Ekko, she’s been waiting for an opportunity to escape, and we let her!”

Ekko just shook his head, picking up something off the ground. “She’ll be back.” “How do you know!?” Ekko moved his hand in front of Scar, showing him what he picked up. “She left her headphones.” Scar just scoffed. “That doesn't mean anything.” Ekko just shook his head. “Trust me, if you knew her like I do, you’d know it meant everything.”

You wandered around one of Silco's biggest shimmer factories, where most of his shipments go. You walked around the rooftop, pacing back and forth. “I’m addicted to the madness~” You turned on your headphones, singing along, tuning out the noise below, scummy workers and henchmen everywhere. “Let me leave my soul a-burning; I’ll be breathing it in.” Sneaking down through the crawl spaces, you laid out bombs everywhere you could stick them. You set up trap after trap after trap after trap. You knew this place like the back of your hand, so it was easy to get in and get out.

“I’m addicted to the feeling, getting higher than the ceiling~” This place had meaning to you… this was the first place Silco took you when he felt like you were ready to work for him. The first place where he showed you the ropes was the same place he had you start your injections. The same place you had your first breakdown. This felt like a goodbye to the past, the pain, everything that made you feel inadequate. You don’t know what you’d be without Silco; you knew the voices would never fully leave, but at least with this you could let your dad know you were ok and that you were going your own way.

“Just concede and give in to your inner demons again~” You hit the button, and it all blew up—the building, the workers.

And you too. Hopefully, Silco can forgive you for not saying goodbye.

It’s been 3 months; Ekko waited for you to return. But after a while he could only assume you’d either gone your own way or something terrible happened. Missions still happened with no sign of you with Silco's goons, and there’s talk about the huge explosion that happened, so he couldn’t pinpoint what had happened to you; all he had to give him comfort about your departure was your headphones. He never touched them, only keeping them by his bedside with your memory lingering with him whenever there in his sight. But today at 12 am, he finally had the courage to tinker with them, hopefully fixing them up.

He was concentrating so hard he didn’t hear the door open; it was Scar. “Your stray is back,” and as soon as he came, he left.

“Hey sunflower,” he jumped and turned around so quickly you thought he’d fall out of the chair. He did slip a little as he rushed to hug you, but you couldn’t bring yourself to laugh.

“Missed me?” He squeezed your torso, chuckling a little. “Missed your humor, not your bullshit.” You poked at his side, making him jump. “Lies, you missed that too. Everyone else is boring.

He pulls you over to his patched-up couch, both of you plopping down. You lean into his touch, laying on his shoulder. Neither of you said anything; you didn’t need to. You don’t know what you expected when it came to his reaction. But you’re glad Ekko didn’t pressure you to talk about anything or question what you’d been doing. You’d tell him one of these days. The withdraws, breakdowns, you almost ending it all. But right now you just wanted to enjoy his company; being alone for months took its toll, so it’s good to be back in a warming presence.

It took everything in you to not go back to Silco, to everything that was easier. But you pulled it off, and you hope Ekko could see that you really are trying. “Was it you?” He spoke so softly you thought you just imagined it, but Ekkos looking into your eyes let you know it was real. And you knew what he meant; your explosion was nothing but destruction, but you wanted to leave that behind you. So you said the only thing that was closest to the truth. “I’m following my own path now, Ekko.” When you looked back at him, it almost took your breath away. Those stupid, big, brown eyes looking at you with so much warmth you could’ve melted right then and there. It made you sick.

“I’m happy for you... So you’re just visiting?”

“Geez, trying to kick me out already, huh?” He shook his head. “Of course not. I just…. I want you to be happy and go your own way, even if it’s not here with me.” You looked away, biting your cheek. “So what if I wanted to be happy here?”.

“Then I’d make a space for you right now; you’re always welcome.”

“Even in your room~”

“Yeah, you can stay with me if you want.”

You felt all your thoughts falter and come to a stop once the words were out of his mouth. You paused and looked at him, face red. “Easy there; we don’t want everyone jealous that the big boss in charge is playing favorites.” He pulls you so close, too close. His nose and forehead touching your own. You don’t know this Ekko, Ekko who always was too shy to flirt back, who was always the gentleman, who only gave fleeting touches like he was afraid to break you. “You are my favorite; you’ll always be someone special to me.” You couldn’t help pushing his buttons, not wanting him to see your face reddening.

“Leaders shouldn’t show favoritism, ya know. I’m going to need something for me to keep quiet; wouldn’t want to hurt the kiddies feelings, would you? out of all the things you expected Ekko to say, you didn’t expect what he’d do.

Ekko leans down, capturing your lips in a gentle kiss. It’s slow and tender; the brush of his lips is so soft. He takes his time, savoring the feel of your lips against his, pouring all of his love and affection into the kiss. He leaned back and smiled warmly as he continued to gently caress your cheek. He looked at you with a soft, affectionate expression, his gaze filled with adoration thatyou’d noticed before. You just never had the guts to call him out on it.

“Is that enough to keep you quiet?”

“It's a start.”

[shiningstarwrites]

How They’d React to You on Your Deathbed

arcane characters!

Vi

• Denial: Vi refuses to accept what’s happening. “No, this isn’t it. You’re not leaving me. We’ve been through worse—this is nothing. You’ll pull through, you always do.” Her voice cracks, betraying her desperation.

• Unyielding Presence: She’s by your side every second, holding your hand like if she lets go, you’ll slip away for good. Her rough, calloused fingers brush your cheek as she whispers, “Stay with me, please. I can’t do this without you.”

• Last Words Through Tears: When it becomes clear there’s no saving you, Vi breaks down. “I love you. More than anything, more than anyone. If I could take your place, I would. In a heartbeat.”

Jinx (Powder)

• Chaotic Despair: Jinx spirals immediately, pacing the room, yelling at anyone who tries to pull her away. “Fix her! Do something! Why aren’t you doing anything?!” Her voice is frantic, her mind refusing to process the inevitable.

• Childlike Pleading: When she finally sits by your side, she clings to you, her head resting against your chest. “You can’t go. You’re the only thing that keeps me… sane. Don’t leave me alone. Please, don’t go.”

• A Broken Goodbye: After you’re gone, Jinx sits in stunned silence, clutching your hand. Her laughter turns hollow as she whispers, “Guess you left me, like everyone else. But I’ll keep you with me. Always.”

Caitlyn

• Silent Strength: Caitlyn tries to stay composed for your sake, even as her heart shatters. She holds your hand tightly, her lips trembling as she says, “I’m here, my love. I’ll be here until the very end.”

• Unwavering Devotion: She brushes your hair back gently, her voice soft but breaking. “I’ve faced criminals, corruption, and danger… but this? This is the one thing I can’t fight.”

• A Love Eternal: As your breathing fades, she presses a tender kiss to your forehead, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’ll carry you with me, always. I promise, I’ll make you proud.”

Ekko

• Desperate to Save You: Ekko throws himself into trying to save you, using every resource the Firelights have. “No, no, no. This isn’t happening. I can fix this. I can fix you.”

• Blaming Himself: When there’s nothing more he can do, he collapses at your side. “This is my fault. I should’ve protected you, kept you safe. I promised I’d never let anything happen to you.”

• A Final Vow: Through tears, he takes your hand. “You always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. I’ll build the future you dreamed of. I’ll make sure your name lives on in every light of Zaun.”

Mel Medarda

• Composed but Devastated: Mel sits beside you, her expression calm but her hands trembling as she holds yours. “You’ve always been stronger than me. I don’t know how to face this without you.”

• A Final Confession: “I should’ve told you sooner… how much you mean to me. How much I love you. I spent so much time hiding my feelings, and now I’ll never get to show you the life we could’ve had.”

• A Quiet Goodbye: As you slip away, Mel presses her forehead against yours. “You were my heart, my one true peace. I’ll carry you with me, always.”

Silco

• A Dangerous Rage: Silco lashes out at anyone around him, demanding answers, blaming them, himself, the world. “This shouldn’t be happening! I’ve built empires; I’ll burn them all to save her. Do something!”

• Uncharacteristic Vulnerability: When it’s just the two of you, his anger fades into despair. He kneels beside your bed, gripping your hand tightly. “You were my light in the dark. My anchor. How am I supposed to go on without you?”

• A Ruthless Promise: As you take your last breath, his voice drops to a chilling calm. “I’ll avenge you. No one will forget your name, and no one will ever cross me like this again.”

Viktor

• Desperate Innovation: Viktor works tirelessly to find a way to save you, even turning to dangerous experiments. “This isn’t over. I’ll fix this. Just hold on a little longer.”

• Heartfelt Regret: When he realizes he’s out of time, Viktor breaks down. “I should’ve spent more time with you, told you how much you meant to me. Instead, I wasted it all chasing dreams that don’t matter anymore.”

• A Quiet Goodbye: He sits by your side, his head bowed as he whispers, “You were the one thing in this world I didn’t have to perfect. The one thing I got right. I’ll miss you… every day.”

[demacianpuppet]

Some more thoughts/observation regarding Viktor and whatever he had going on his cult because I'm obsessed.

First of all, what exactly was Salo doing there? He went to the power source of the Hex Gates to get some (raw) Hextech crystals I assume but this leave me with more questions than answers.

For what exactly did Viktor need the crystals?

I would assume stealing from the source, which is locked behind a specific key (which seem to only open with Hextech) makes it easier do than from higher up of the Hex Gates. Considering Viktor's followers are just an extension from Viktor himself, they have the easiest option to sneak into it.

Also, Salo wears no protection gear, something that the people who maintain the Hextech Gate clearly do as seen in Season 1.

One detail I didn't catch while watching the first time is that the discussion between Jayce and Viktor happens in the Wild Rune and also seems to be Viktor who frees Jayce from it.

(Maybe Viktor knew something about Jayce being trapped in the Wild Rune which would explain why only Jayce materialized when Salo appeared and Heimerdinger and Ekko are still missing.)

So more interesting details - first of all Salo wasn't breathing the whole dialogue. You can see how Jayce breath condensed in the Hex Gates while Salo's never did. It also lines up that Jayce saw some empty husk creature whenever he looked at Viktor's followers.

Not consider how creepy the whole scene was because we see Salo is absolutely not acting like Salo, constantly switching to being possessed by Viktor.

Also, when Jayce dispose of the empty husk that once Salo was, the blood is not just red but also prismatic. His body has been also fundamentally changed from the inside.

Also Viktor doesn't seen to really care that Jayce just killed someone? Like sure, he is worried for Jayce and mentioned that someone is in his head but she shows no pity for Salo who just got killed?

I continue that none of the Viktor's followers actually acted like normal human being. Like Huck showed no sign of fear when the Noxian appear with their weapon, nor do any other people reacted with fear when Jayce appears with his weapon in his hand and clearly not best mental state.

As someone else already pointed out, you don't see anyone doing anything but to work. No children playing, no people talking with each other. Again, not human, not normal.

Whenever Viktor touched someone and tries to heal them, you can see how he left his fingerprints on them. (Vander/Warwick has them as well.)

Interesting Viktor could spot Jayce mental state without touching him, makes me wonder how close he needs to be to a person. Maybe Jayce is a special case because they both are touched by the Arcane?

When Singed talked with Viktor, Singed touched Vikor's hand and he instantly glimpsed into Singed mind. It seems to be not even an active thing he does.

(Does it mean back then Jayce hugged him after he just woke up from his metamorphosis did he already had seen the weapons Jayce had crafted during that time in his mind?)

Interesting that Singed mentioned that Viktor grows weaker, you would assume whatever the Hexcore does should be like a virus, so more people would make it stronger and not weaker.

Was this the reason why Viktor wanted the Hextech Crystals? To make a new Hexcore to replace his failing energy source? So many question, no answers.

Also what exactly was Viktor doing when he was levitating while being connected via strings to something? Did the writers just need a reason why Viktor would not try fight back when Jayce appeared? Did he was ready to face the possibility that Jayce could actually do harm to him?

Jayce goes into the room, does the shot and refusing to even look when he was firing it. There is one frame there you can see mirror version of Jayce reading the shot, it makes me wonder how often he went to Viktor and tried to change the outcome.

Jayce also left immediately once the deed was done. While Jayce was clearly tearing up, he ran way instantly.

Viktor just watched Jayce do the shot, fear in his eyes and he couldn't stop staring at him until his last breath was leaving him. The cog (which is not the same one during Hextech breakthrough) rolled away from his hand.

We know that Viktor ends the episode with his monologue how emotions are problem but I wonder if he knew that would happened and a part of him (or the Hexcore) becked Jayce to do the shot so he finally could get rid of his heart and/or influence of the Hexcore for good.

Because in Viktor's mindscape Viktor behaved like he always did while in reality he is very emotionalless despite everything.

Also going back to the hive mind thing - their life energy was clearly connected to the Hexcore which was the reason why they all started dying when the Hexcore was destroyed.

Despite Jayce ruining everything according the fans, I don't think Viktor would have stayed alive much longer anyway with Ambessa and Singed near. I wonder if this was the best-case scenario so that they would not get the Hexcore in their hands or if Jayce basically did a self-fulfilling prophecy with this action.

[mxaether]

MITCH MARNER -VS- TORONTO MEDIA/TORONTO FANS/HIMSELF/EVERYONE (a playlist for when you love a thing so much, and it bites you)

track list and selected lyrics for each under the cut ❤️

1. I Want You So Bad I Can't Breathe - OK GO i want you, yeah, i want you/ i want you, yeah, i want you bad/ so bad i can't think straight/ so bad all my bones shake / so bad i can't breathe 2. Careful What You Wish For (the doctor said to) - Jack Harris something is missing/this predisposition/i feel like i'm living inside of my head 3. Who Made You A Monster? - Hael tricking the world to trust you/but everything that you say/is some kind of sordid lie/who taught you how to lie so well? 4. GOSSIP - Maneskin, Tom Morello welcome to the city of lies/where everything's got a price/gonna be your favourite place -- so sip the gossip, drink till you choke/sip the gossip, burn down your throat 5. Don't Be Nice - Watsky false modesty is a guilty habit/some people simply have it/but the fact is i would not have spent a decade doing this/if i did not believe i was at least a tiny bit ridiculously filthy at it 6. JEKYLL & HIDE - Bishop Briggs sweet and then you're sour/changes by the hour/never know which one i'll taste 7. End of It - Friday Pilots Club it's cruel you know/the way they've been treating you lately/get you real messed up on the daily 8. Nowhere Kid - Des Rocs inside of a maze you hide away/where nobody cares who you are/caught in a lie you can't escape 9. All For Us - Labrinth, Zendaya guess you figured my two times two/always equates to one/dreamers are selfish -- i'm taking it all for us, all/doing it all for love 10. Cruel Devotion - Night Club do you want me? tell me true/on my knees and now i'm begging you/loving you is such a cruel devotion 11. Who Are You, Really? - Mikky Ekko i have nothing left to prove/cause i have nothing left to lose/see me bare my teeth for you/who, who are you? 12. Heartbreak Feels So Good - Fall Out Boy is there a word for a bad miracle?/nobody said the road was endless/nobody said the climb was friendless 13. Some People - Dan Mangan cause it's too easy to be righteous when you eat what you've been fed/some people don't question what they've read/some people should 14. SELF-SABOTAGE - Waterparks i'll self sabotage/if you like when we talk i'll dislocate my jaw/what the fuck is wrong with me 15. Matches - Huxlxy bring me the ashes/set me alight/i'd rather burn than say goodbye 16. SICK - Chandler Leighton never let anyone see your guard down/too proud, just stop, keep my frozen/iced out, i'm six feet underground 17. Black Wave - K. Flay shaking in my own cage/what do i believe? i believe/waiting on a black wave/living under bad days 18. Middle Finger - Bohnes you show me love and then spit in my face/making your money off all of my pain 19. still feel. - half-alive when i'm furthest from myself/feeling closer to the stars/i've been invaded by the dark/trying to recognize myself when i feel i've been replaced 20. Rather Die - Barns Courtney i came to kill 'em, now i'm/wipin' the spit from my eyes/i take a beating but i/i'll never give up 21. Lake Effect Kid - Fall Out Boy oh i've got the skyline in my veins, forget your night time/sumer love on a gurney with a squeaky wheel/and joke us, joke us til Lakeshore Drive comes back into focus/i just wanna come back to life 22. Stronger - Kanye West n-now-now that, that don't kill me/can only make my stronger -- do anybody make real shit anymore?/bow in the presence of greatness/cause right now thou hast forsaken us 23. Bulletproof - La Roux, GAMPER & DADONI i won't let you turn around/and tell me now i'm much too proud/all you do is fill me up with doubt/this time, baby, i'll be bulletproof 24. What Do You Want - Nico Vega you can go ahead and hate me/for bringing in news, but you could still choose/ain't going to be a party/but you turn it all down, down, down/say, what do you want?/what do you want from me? 25. I'm Gonna Win - Rob Cantor you've seen me before, you'll see me again 26. Hero - Martin Harrix, JVKE

a thousand voices whisper noise/they plan my fall from grace/whoa-oh, i know/you say you want a hero, you don’t

[bulletsandbracelets]

Finished Arcane and it was gorgeous. I just have thoughts and wanted to share.

I’m not going to say that objectively it was bad in any way. It was gorgeous. The animation was stunning, the message was well portrayed, it just… subjectively left me disappointed. I couldn’t figure out why until I started thinking about what I might have done instead.

I may have missed things, and I’m 100% not saying what I would have done makes a better story. It just would have been more satisfying for me as a wrap.

Season 2 felt like it forgot about season 1 by the end. Nothing in season 1 thematically mattered except for Victor’s (and a bit of Jinx’s) arcs. They kicked off an entirely new direction, and entirely new overarching theme, without in any way resolving the first. (Aside from a bit of visualizations towards the end).

I would have saved Victor’s story for a new series. I would have had Ambessa’s attack be a smokescreen and had her retreat from Piltover having achieved her real (new) objective; stealing Victor, who would not have woken up in this series.

This allows for the conflict against Ambessa to be the pinnacle of act 2 and leaves the entirety of act 3 to resolve things between Piltover and Zaun. Caitlyn and Vi. Vi and Jinx.

I feel like a stronger ending would have been Jinx and Vi achieving what Vander and Silco never could. With Ekko’s help, and Caitlyn’s, making Zaun happen and moving forward towards healing between the two cities. I like Sevika on the council a lot, but it wasn’t enough imo. That combined with an independent under city, represented by an ambassador on the council, would have fulfilled the arc of the entire story.

There would have been room for character plots to not be rushed. Caitlyn could have had more screen time to work through her realization of Ambessa’s betrayal and the lessons learned. Vi and Jinx would have had more time to at least come to terms with each other. Jinx could have actually become the leader of the undercity that they teased in the opening. She could have realized that there was a purpose behind Silco’s mission outside of revenge and Ekko could have helped her to realize a better way to honor his legacy. Achieving his dream.

And then we could have had an entirely separate series where Jace and Mel team up with Ekko and Jinx, go to Noctus, and confront Ambessa. An entire series to set up the idea of flawed people not being broken where Jinx is learning to come to terms with her past, Mel with her newfound magic and heritage, and Victor with his power. A new setting, new characters, all of it with actual time to breathe because we’ve closed up the old ones well enough to move on.

I feel the only characters done justice in act 2 were Jinx and Ekko. Their arcs were beautifully written and really came to a fantastic place (though Ekko didn’t have far to go). Everyone else got short changed and it’s really too bad they tried to fit so much in 9 episodes. It was stunning. But it felt so much more empty and detached than act 1. There wasn’t as much of a heart to it.

I enjoyed it. But season 1 was really something special, and season 2 doesn’t quite hit the same mark imo.

[f1shbonez]

"Stop it! That’s enough, okay? That’s enough!" (Vi)

Jinx didn’t recognise the sound that left her throat as she rounded on the enforcer with every bit of rage she deserved. There was NO WAY she was staying here! Just because Ekko was taking his sweet time making a decision didn’t mean everyone else had to play nice. Not when Miss High-And-Mighty had the information needed to destroy them all. Was she seriously the only one seeing the dangers here?! Hot-shot enforcer returns the gemstones and stomps on all the trencher trash terrorists: Case closed and a big juicy promotion! Sheesh. It was like everyone had forgotten all of a sudden that the only good enforcer was a dead one. 

"Stop it! That’s enough, okay? That’s enough!" 

A flash of incensed disbelief consumed Jinx’s face at Vi’s intervention before hardening into renewed anger. 

Ohhhhhh, so it’s like THAT, is it? 

Yeah. Figures. 

That was fine! Totally fine! Vi wasn’t the only one who’d changed sides. What was her deal, anyway? The sister she knew wasn’t one to shy away from a fight. She also wouldn’t have risked her neck for an enforcer. A cruel, humourless smirk found Vi as Jinx’s fingers lifted the barrel of her pistol. 

I’m stronger than you now. 

She had all her toys back again. All of them! Hand-delivered by Ekko for being a loyal Firelight. How was this for loyal? Blasting the enforcer’s brains out felt like a pretty good way to keep things safe ‘n sound. Can’t lead poison back to the bug-nest if you never leave, after all. 

And what about Vi? She was no match for her sweet baby sister’s shiny guns, chompers and new toys. Toys that worked real good. She’d even share! Hunger bled into the rigid lines of Jinx’s lips. What would Vi sound like, balled up and screaming on the floor with a stingy attached? 

“She started it!” Jinx snarled, blue eyes flashing past Vi in an attempt to see where the six-foot-coward had retreated to. Ohoho, she’d find her! Maybe some of Ekko’s bugs would help, too. None of them were wild on this dumb idea, anyway. Maybe they just needed someone brave enough to take the first swing. 

A frustrated growl simmered at the edge of Jinx’s breath as her feet wound around Vi, pressing for a break she could duck through. 

What’s wrong sis? 

Too scared to hit me? 

You can hit me. 

Go on.

Do it. 

I DARE you. 

“Move.”

[zaunseye]

Being broken free from the chains of tradition and complacency was never a comfortable experience. He remembered the night his whole world had changed, and he was reborn into the stronger man he was today. It was a liberating feeling -- to be so free from who he used to be. He wished to spread that same lesson to those who needed it, and release their inner monsters. It seemed, in this case, that he had succeeded.

The name illuminated much about the teenager before him, as well as Benzo's mentality in naming him. That old man always did have a habit of giving people his own names. He'd even given Silco the nickname of 'Fiver' when he was younger, because he liked to play five point with other peoples hands. He'd always hated the nickname, only putting up with it for Vander's sake when they could all still could have considered each other 'friends'.

"Ekko... Like an echo of the past," he said with a revelatory tone. "I understand now. No wonder you held so fiercely to the memories. You were taught that they were what made you yourself." With a shake of his head, he released a disappointed sigh. "Benzo was such a fool. He saddled his child with shackles to yesterday, rather than wings for tomorrow. There's no way to continue into the future freely with a name like that."

He heard the doctor enter the room from behind and turned to face him. The Mad Chemist approached with a gilded box in his hands. Reaching out, he took the box from him, giving the man a calm nod of his head. He knew what this was, because he had ordered its creation the day he left his captive to suffer through the drip feed of shimmer. His fingers traced around the edges of the box as he walked back to Ekko's side. "Let's discuss a little possibility. A scenario, if you will."

"Say I release you from your restraints," he proposed. Behind him, the doctor left the room in favor of other projects. "Give you the tools you need to maintain the connection with your true self. In return, will you would work for me." He opened the box to show a mask, designed to carry canisters of concentrated shimmer vapor. "Think of it. Together, we can make wider strides in the direction of Zaun's independence."

The experience with shimmer was different than when he was young. Before, he was young and didn't know what he was doing. Didn't know what he was getting into. It affected him differently, then. It clouded the memories, but he was inexperienced and couldn't control himself. The monster inside him had only just begun then, barely there.

Ekko realized now, that even though he had stopped using shimmer, that monster never went away. That monster continued to grow along with him, adapting to every change. It integrated itself into him without him realizing that, either. Sometimes it would slip out, usually in the form of more violent streaks. The rage that had taken over on the cargo ship, it was just grief.

Now, as a 21 year old man, he had full control of himself, however that monster was a core part of who he was. He could feel the excitement of it all pulsing through him like electricity. Never again would he want to live without this feeling again. There was the risk, outside of this room, that someone would try to make that decision for him. Something he would punish them for if they tried.

"Truthfully, I've never been more free than I am now." It felt so satisfying admitting now. In the end Silco had won the game, but so had he, in his own way.

Eyes trailed briefly down to Silco's hands, noticing how close they were to release in his restraints. However, he simply looked disinterested. There was no urgency of escaping, in fact the thought didn't even cross his mind. For now he was perfectly satisfied with staying how he was. Anything to feel that constant pumping of shimmer.

There was a small debate, whether it would be worth giving Silco his name. The former Firelight knew he was being observed as he once again made eye contact as both heard and felt fingers tap against the table. "No need to ask her, I doubt she hardly remembers who I am, anyway."

"My name is Ekko." He finally uttered one of the last secrets Silco had yet to know. "Benzo gave it to me before I lost my parents, something about a play on time or whatever." For the first time, mentioning that name gave no emotional response, not even a flinch of it.

[m1lkdudss]

TOUGH LOVE

ft. ekko

PAIRING: ekko x gn! reader.

GENRE: fluff, valentine’s day, && enemies to lovers.

CONTENT WARNING: N/A.

“YOU LIKE ME, DON’T YOU?” HIS TAUNTING HAD Y/N HOLDING THEIR BREATH. “and this letter, it’s from you,” ekko held the heart-shaped letter between his index finger and pointer, just above their head so when they tried to reach for it he’d yank it just out of their arms reach. “you’re an ass,” Y/N coldly sneered, a hand pressed to his chest as they jumped up in an attempt to grab at the sappy love letter. tears glossed over Y/N’s eyes but in that moment ekko hadn’t noticed, all he was concerned about was an answer.

“look, it’s a simple yes or no question L/N. do you like me?” the silence that followed after made ekko frown, raising the letter up as high as his arm would allow him to before repeating the question once more: “do you like me?” this time his voice was a lot more firm, more straightforward than he usually acted with them. “no i don’t, now give it back!” regret seeped from every word that left their trembling lips, this time it caught ekko’s attention and his confidence started to falter. “wait— are you alright? i was just messing around i’m sorry—” though before he could come out with his apology, a harsh knee to his groin had him doubling over and dropping the paper heart. “yes i fucking like you! but you weren’t supposed to find out! not… not like this!” although the pain sent to his groin was devastating, the pain in their voice hurt him more and he struggled to get up. “agh— Y/N…” he groaned, watching them storm off without further explanation. “you dumbass…” he seethed, rolling his eyes and slowly standing upright.

Y/N was right, the letter was not meant to reveal itself to him. ekko’s best guess was that they were planning to give it to him but last minute chickened out and threw it away which was where he found it, crumpled up in the common room’s trash can. although the paper wasn’t signed the prissy language used and the handwriting gave away their identity nicely.

he waited till nightfall, where he knew they’d be back to make a midnight coffee. he remembered when they were younger… eh, fourteen years old? they’d experience frequent encounters, ekko up to get a late night snack after training and Y/N? a warm cup of coffee. they wouldn’t talk, just glare daggers at each other as he dug through the cupboard and Y/N waited for the water to boil. ekko was sure that throughout those encounters was when he started to develop a shallow crush on the up tight fool, and those feelings only got stronger the more they started to partner up for jobs.

“what are you doing here?” Y/N’s voice startled him out of his thoughts, making ekko jump as he stood next to the kettle. “just making a coffee, like i always do,” his words were sarcastic, ekko never liked coffee it was too bitter for him, and that made Y/N chuckle. “sure sure,” they watched him make a coffee, knowing damn well that he was preparing it for them with the specific amounts of sugar and creamer he’d add to the steaming beverage. “i’m sorry i kicked you— did your balls survive?” their question made ekko snort and turn away with embarrassment as he laughed. “they’ll manage, though they’re sort of accustomed to your pointy-ass knee ya know,” he retorted and laughter filled the air. Y/N laughed so hard that tears built up in their eyes but they never left like they usually did, instead those tears spilt past their cheeks and short laughs escalated into drawled out sobs.

it took ekko a long second to realize that they started to cry but when he finally came to his senses he was quick to wrap his muscular arms around them. at first his hands hovered with hesitation, having never touched a hair on Y/N’s body in a loving and affectionate way but they soon relaxed against them with ease. one of his hands sat on their head, the other on the small of their back as he stared down at them with a frown. “i didn’t mean to push you into confessing but… i’m glad you did,” although it may have not looked like it, with his calm facade, ekko was flustered. the way his eyebrows creased and he bashfully looked away told Y/N everything they needed to know. “re…ally?” they uttered out, E/C eyes widening before they softly hit his chest. “you could’ve confessed too, ya know!” at that moment their voice sounded stern, hard as nails, but the way their lips gently curled upwards let ekko know that they were only pulling his leg.

“oh really? hmmm, okay then… how about this?” a small smirk fell to ekko’s lips and soon he was grabbing Y/N by the waist and hoisting them onto the kitchen counter. “Y/N, my dearest… i’ve got something i need to tell you…” he started as a joke, though as he progressed his smile started to falter. “i don’t know when it started but my love for you is blistering up like the callouses on my hands,” he tried to steer what he was saying back into a joke but as he looked into their eyes he couldn’t help but get nervous. ekko swallowed the lump in his throat as they reached for his face, their hand was delicate as it landed on his upper cheekbone.

“your face… it’s warm,” they smiled and pulled him in for a hug. as they pressed his face against the softness of their chest they whispered, so softly as to not embarrass themselves: “i love you too.”

the two enjoyed themselves and by the time they were done with each other— with their tender moment of Y/N atop the counter and ekko lovingly leaning into them— the coffee was cold and the sun peeked over the horizon.

[liquorisce]

honey, we can run forever

pairing: eren x mikasa

rating: E; 18+

summary: Eren is not a simple man, he doesn’t want simple things, and he doesn’t love, simply. Because as much as he wants Mikasa to be happy, the thought of her forgetting him twists inside him painfully, a knife in his already diminishing soul.

or

cabin eren likes that mikasa grew her hair longer. (so he can pull on it when he's fucking her from behind)

ao3

“Honey, we can run forever, if forever's what's in store

Oh, time doesn’t love you like I love you,

So take me home.”

Mikky Ekko

Unbelievable, he thinks.

He feels it as he sees her walking with the others, sandwiched between Armin and Jean, as they tease her over something trivial. He sees it when she first discovers the confection they call ice cream.

She’s unbelievable. Her strength, her presence… her beauty.

There’s a melancholy to it, to the way he looks at her today. Because even though he’s never seen her so relaxed, so carefree, so guileless and lost in her surroundings (maybe just once before in the ocean, and she’d looked beautiful even then).

It tugs at him when she calls him, the same way she’s always called him, ever since they were children and innocent and clueless, the way she comes up to him with the most self-conscious smile, offering him what she just discovered.

He can’t tell her it isn’t new to him, that none of this is. He can’t tell her that when he tastes the ice cream she offers him now, he’s had it before, or at least he remembers it, because now he can remember his future, and that’s something he doesn’t even know how to explain.

So he takes it from her anyway, relishing in the treat that she relished in, partaking in a small piece of joy, something he can share with her.

He wonders when was the last time he saw her in civilian clothes. Especially like this - Mikasa had always been partial to long, flowing, skirts. That’s just who she was, and if this life hadn’t done this to her, that’s who she would have been, carefree and indulgent… and free.

And at that moment he’s never felt a stronger urge than to see her like that. To witness the beauty of Mikasa in a different life, maybe a different life with him.

…

He'd asked her to forget him. No, he'd begged. He heard his own voice, raspy and choked up at that moment, overcome with Mikasa's tears, and the cruel nature of their reality.

In that moment, standing outside their little cabin, nestled in the woods, far far away from any kind of reality, in the beautiful golden glow of the sunset that bathed her delicate face, all he'd wanted was her happiness. A long life filled with love and joy for the love of his life even if it was a life without him.

But Eren is not a simple man, he doesn’t want simple things, and he doesn’t love, simply. Because as much as he wants Mikasa to be happy, the thought of her forgetting him twists inside him painfully, a knife in his already diminishing soul.

It’s a stain in his mind, spreading, and it darkens him to the point where he can’t even look at her anymore without thinking of her smiling, beautiful, hair long and free in the wind, a child hugging her knees. A man who holds her waist with pride.

It makes him sick. It’s a vision he wants to reach out and grab and crush, make it so small until it ceases to exist. Vaguely he realizes just how far gone he is, but he doesn’t want her smiles to belong to anyone else.

He doesn’t even notice the effect his darkening mood has on her, until she asks him, tentatively. “... Did I do something to upset you, Eren?”

He’s stumped really, doesn’t know how to respond because he doesn't know how to say that she could never upset him, not as long as she’s with him. Pulling her onto his lap, he tries to dredge up a smile. “... You know me, I’ve always been moody.”

She rests her forehead against his, and he can feel her cool breath as she speaks, a small hitch in her throat as she says “... maybe I can improve your mood?”

It still makes him breathless when she speaks to him this way - coy, teasing... flirtatious? And when he thinks of the possibility that she might speak to another man this way, it leaves a bad taste in his mouth, his grip on her waist tightening.

She litters kisses along his jaw, fingers deftly undoing the ties on the front of his shirt, grazing the faint bit of chest hair that peeks out. It takes very little for her to turn him on and she knows it, a pleasing hum at the back of her throat as she feels him get aroused under her.

It’s an intensely addictive feeling, her lips, her fingers, and the more Eren feels himself give into it, the more the irrational anger bubbles over, his mouth betraying his displeasure when he thinks of her speaking this way to someone else. Would she touch him like this, caressing his chest, pressing her enticing body against his the same way?

Would she grind her hips against another man’s erection?

Would she sigh so temptingly into another man’s lips?

He can’t help the growl that spills out of his lips, and he nips her lips angrily, greedily. She recoils for a minute, grey eyes startled, her palm covering her lips. “... Eren, what was that,” -

He lifts her easily, strong muscled thighs wrapping around his hips as he carries her to the bed, pressing his lips gently to hers in apology. As he lays her out in front of him, skirt hitched up to her waist, his green eyes are stormy as he struggles with his words. “... You,” you’re beautiful, he thinks, “You don’t even realize,” -

He chokes, unable to continue, unable to explain the dark cloud brewing in his mind. He pulls the scarf off and discards it on the floor, fingers moving to the buttons on her sweater.

“... You’re all I have left Mikasa,” he wonders if that is enough for her to understand, but judging from the way she looks at him, a mixture of confused and aroused, it isn’t. “You’re all I have,” he murmurs again, before divesting her of her skirt and pressing a kiss to her inner calf. “Sometimes I can’t bear it.”

“... I don’t,” -

She doesn’t need to say it, he knows she doesn’t understand. How could she? She wasn’t like him, she loved him without complication, for the longest time, with the most straightforward dedication. But Eren’s always loved her in hiding, the way he does now, running away from the whole world into an illusion, where it’s just her and him and nobody else... to the only place where he could have her completely, only his.

“My time’s running out, Mikasa,” he says with vehemence. No longer depressed, but just angry. Angry that there was a timer on their relationship, a deadline for the time he had with the girl he loved for so long, he can’t even remember a time where he hadn’t loved her.

“... I have you now,” he whispers possessively, cupping his hand around her heat, hooking a finger into her panties to pull it down. “... But not much longer.” He takes a minute to appreciate the sight in front of him, Mikasa naked from the waist down, and he confesses, “... It drives me insane.”

If she weren’t completely, irrevocably in love with him, she might have thought he looked as insane as he felt, green eyes wild, hair messy from where she’s run her fingers through it. She doesn’t like to dwell on it either, they’d promised each other that they wouldn’t bring it up, they wouldn’t talk about their friends, or the war, or the fact that the clock was ticking on their love. “... Only you, Eren, that’s all I want to focus on,” she’d told him, breathlessly, when they’d first spoken of running away, and that’s how she wanted it to stay.

Because she can’t imagine a life without him, without the boy who’d been there for her ever since she thought she had nothing else. “We said we wouldn’t think about it,” she whispers, doing her best not to let her own thoughts stray there, there would be time for that aplenty when the only way she could keep him with her would be with tear-filled memories.

“Not think about it?” The anger betrays him, seeping into his impassioned voice, “... How can I?” His words are harsh, biting, deliberate with the scraping of his teeth against her nipple. “It’s all I think of nowadays, Mikasa.” Her hands thread into his hair when he uncovers her shirt to suck on her breast. “... That someday someone else might touch you this way.”

She inhales sharply when he squeezes her breast to the point of pain. “... Never.”

“You say that now,” he says, with melancholy, but someday you’ll do this with another man, is something he doesn’t add, when he slips a finger through her panties, testing how wet she’s become.

“... God, I’m so selfish, Mikasa,” he pants, relishing the sounds she makes, the way her beautiful grey eyes clouded with lust. “... But I want those moans only for myself.”

“Eren, I’ve only ever wanted you, you know that,” -

“I know,” he murmurs, selfishly. He doesn’t let her catch her breath, slipping another finger inside, letting her adjust to the pace that he sets, “... all this,” he lets her taste how wet she is, smearing her juices on her lips before he kisses her, “It’s only for me, isn’t it?”

He can feel her grow impatient, hips moving up to meet his, to grind against him, desperate for some friction. “You’re not lying are you, my love?” And he knows she isn’t because Mikasa is so honest with her body, her mouth, her words, as she whispers, “... I’m all yours, Eren.”

It pleases him so much to hear it, even though he’s always known it, through his jealousy, his possessiveness, there’s never been much doubt about just how much Mikasa is his. She reaches for him, for the drawstrings of his pants that should have come undone a long time ago.

It’s unbelievable just how good she can make him feel with her mouth alone (with her words, her smiles, her moans), soft and warm and wet and so, so eager to please. She works him up till he’s slick and throbbing, lips smacking around the length of him until he threads his fingers into her hair and pulls on it, grey eyes unfocused and watery from how deep she had him mere moments ago. “... You look so pretty with my dick in your mouth,” he confesses, and he doesn’t even know where he gets the courage to say it, because Mikasa looks so pretty all the time anyway.

“... Eren,” she whispers urgently, and he can see the way she’s pressing her thighs together, can see the urgency she wants to convey. “... I need you.”

“I know you do, my love,” he whispers, caressing the side of her face, “... Be a good girl for me and get on your hands and knees for me.” She blushes prettily but moves to accommodate him exactly how he tells her to, on her knees and her hands, turning to look at him in anticipation.

He swats her ass playfully, and she wiggles. “Raise your ass for me, Mikasa, don’t hide.”

She’s so obedient, so beautiful, and the darker side of him relishes it immensely. He loves the way she listens to him, how eager she is to please him, and there’s an irrational, selfish thought, that surely this side of her, submissive and pliant Mikasa, will only be his.

He spreads her with his fingers and blows gently, and she lets out a long whine. He nips at her outer lips possessively, lapping at the juices that betray her arousal. “... So needy,” he whispers, and in a breathless whimper, she supplies, “... only for you, Eren.”

He groans as he slips his length inside of her, inside her ready heat, so deep inside of her, he’s almost certain she’s taken hold of his soul. “... Mine,” he whispers, almost subconsciously, kissing the soft skin over her spine, licking gently over her vertebra.

She bucks back against him, eager for him to move, but his fingers splay around her throat possessively. “... So desperate for me, huh, Mikasa?” His fingers tighten ever so slightly as he drives into her, and she can feel her flutter around his length as he gets rough with her. He thrusts again and again, his hold loosening, not wanting to hurt her.

But what Eren doesn’t realize is that Mikasa needs this as much as he does, that he could do anything to her and she wouldn’t break. That when he chokes her and drives into her, everything else ceases to exist, except him and his all-consuming presence. “Do anything, Eren,” she begs, a hoarse whisper from the back of her throat, “... just don’t be gentle.”

Because their love had never been gentle, it had always been violent, cruel, asking too much of them, burdening them with pleasure but only with the promise of pain. And now with the things that played on both their minds, she’d rather he drove it out of her mind with the sheer intensity that only he could give her.

“I wasn’t planning to be,” he murmurs, yanking on her ponytail, watching her back arch beautifully as he fills her completely before thrusting into her again. He has a stray thought about how pretty she looks with her hair grown out again, sleek and soft and so perfect for him to hold onto as he drives into her from behind.

The angle is so good, so deep, that she whimpers, “... I can’t… I’m so close, Eren,” and that’s when he knows he has to see her. He pulls out of her quickly - she whines at the loss of fullness - and demands, “... Lie on your back, my love. I want to see you feel good.”

It embarrasses her how easily he vocalizes what he wants, but Eren’s always been good at that, and Mikasa’s happy to make him feel happy. So she complies. He parts her legs, bending them onto his shoulders and slips into her so easily, she groans.

He bites down on the soft swell of her calves to suppress a groan because he’s slid so deep into her wetness, he feels like he could almost drown. He fucks her thoroughly, building a pace that he can no longer say he’s in control of, his hips bucking into her erratically. Her orgasm is building, and he can sense it in the way that she quivers, how she looks away from him, biting her lip, and he doesn’t like it.

Grasping her chin with his fingers, he turns it towards him, thumb forcing her mouth open. “Don’t do that,” he breathes, “... I want to hear you say my name.” He bends over and licks gently on her earlobe, lavishing the way she likes, the way he knows she’s weak for. “... I want to hear you scream it, Mikasa.”

And she does.

…

He watches her sleep, after. He tucks her in and watches her breathing deepen, her hair framing her face beautifully on her pillow.

She’s even more beautiful after he’s fucked her, lips swollen from the way he’s kissed them, skin bruising delicately under the pale moonlight. She bruised so easily under his fingers, from where he enclosed them around her throat, and for the briefest moment, he feels bad about it - about causing her any kind of pain.

But the larger part of him, the part that screams for nothing but his own gratification, wonders if they will stay long, long after he’s gone, reminding anyone who dares to look, whom she truly belongs to.

- fin -

a/n: here's some soap for you to clean yourselves after this!! if you want some more cabin eremika that's sorta like this, check out my other oneshot "one of these days, ill know" :)

(btw, I'm always looking for feedback to improve, so please lemme knoww~)

[library-phantom]

Stay - Kaz Brekker x Inej Ghafa

I’m happy to be writing again, but I’m a little nervous about this one. This was inspired by the song “Stay” by Rihanna and Mikky Ekko, but I’m not sure if anyone did this before. I really hope I did justice to these characters! As usual, I apologize for any English mistakes... The parts in italic are the lyrics to the song.

Summary:  After Inej left Ketterdam, Kaz remembers some moments he had with her while avaliating his actions at the time.

Warnings: a little angst (sorry...)

(Gif isn’t mine)

As much as he would never say it aloud, Kaz hated to admit to himself he was feeling lonely lately. Ever since he became the leader of the Dregs his fame at the Barrel and in Ketterdam in general became bigger. He got the reputation he fought so hard to achieve, but, there was still something that he felt that was missing. He still could remember when he saw Inej for the last time all those months ago, how she smiled while walking into her ship with her crew, finally able to enjoy her freedom. He knew it was what she deserved, what she wanted. But, a little part of him was still worried about when he would see her again.He lifted his head from the papers scattered around his desk and took a deep breath, letting his mind take him back to the first time he saw her. A smirk came to his face when he remembered how he didn’t hear Inej approaching him that night. She was really brave to do that at the Menagerie to tell him she could help him. She never could do that to him ever again, but that didn’t stop her trying.

All along it was a fever

A cold sweat, hot headed believer

I threw my hands in the air, said, "Show me something"

He said, "If you dare, come a little closer"

As she worked with him, he appreciated her talents as The Wraith and how valuable her abilities were to his plans. But, he also began to feel something different about her. It was more than just admiration on how she could get any information about anything and anyone or how fast she improved her fighting skills to survive at the Barrel. No, it was something else. Something different...and it scared him.

Not really sure how to feel about it

Something in the way you move

Of course, he also realized how Inej tried to see a good side of him. He lost count on how many times she questioned his strategies in a job and how that led to some discussions between them. Unless Kaz was wrong, he thought it was almost like she wanted to save him somehow. But, he was the Dirty Hands, the Bastard of the Barrel. An option to redemption wasn’t something he could consider. He wouldn’t even think about that.

It's not much of a life you're living

It's not just something you take, it's given

Despite all of this, she was still always with him. There was the contract that Inej had to follow to get her freedom, obviously, but he wondered if there was something else that made her stay at his side. He never forgot how she was ready to help him when he made his way at the Dregs with his fists to get the gang back. There was also the way she brought little pieces of information to him after the whole situation with Van Eck was solved and he became leader of the Dregs. It had to be something more than just loyalty, right? After all, she was already free from her contract by then, he made sure of that.

Round and around and around and around we go

Oh, now tell me now, tell me now, tell me now you know

Then, his memories took him back to that night at the hotel bathroom. Kaz still had doubts on how he was strong enough to offer to help her with her bandages that night. The way he felt her skin at his fingers, how she also told him it wasn’t easy for her, but both of them still tried. He wished he could have been stronger that night. 

Makes me feel like I can't live without you

It takes me all the way

I want you to stay

But, he also remembered that afternoon at the ship when they were coming back from the Ice Court and Inej told him her plans after that job was over. He still remembered how he asked her to stay with him, but he was too weak to actually look at her to say that. He wanted her, but he didn’t feel strong enough to actually say that while looking at her eyes. Kaz Brekker, the Bastard of the Barrel, was too scared to look at her. He wondered if he would ever be able to know what she was thinking at that moment.

Ooh, the reason I hold on

Ooh, 'cause I need this hole gone

Well, funny you're the broken one

But I'm the only one who needed saving

'Cause when you never see the light

It's hard to know which one of us is caving

At that moment he decided to stop those memories returning to him and go back to the documents that were on his desk. He took a few minutes to focus again when he got a sensation that he could never forget, not matter how long it would take for it to come back to him. He let a smirk come to his face while enjoying that feeling again.

“Hello, Inej”. 

 He finally lifted up his head and saw Inej standing next to the wall. She offered him a shy smile in return and Kaz felt completed again. Even after all those months being away, Inej would always climb through the window when visiting him, but Kaz would always know she was around. It was an old habit that neither of them could ever lose. For a split second, he wondered how long she would be in Ketterdam this time, but he quickly put that thought aside. She was there now and it was all that mattered. 

[fatebreaking-a]

❂

// @sheriff-caitlyn / I’ve got a confession to make.  ( Ori )

=========================================================

“I admired you.”

Her eyes open slowly, not fluttering, not nervous. They simply open, as her confession opens. Simply, clearly, concisely, she begins where all stories ought to begin - the very beginning.

“When we were much younger, I admired you very much.” It was no less than a lifetime ago to the blonde woman as she perches upon a desk, feet swinging lazily. Held between her arms is the Ball, whining sadly as melancholy overtakes Orianna Reveck’s voice. The Ball is proof it is her, that despite being flesh and blood, she is that woman.

She ought to have died. 

It is not survivor’s guilt that carries this thought forward, but simple reality. A simple reality that she is here, alive - perhaps alive enough to be considered ‘well’. How does Caitlyn remember her? What does Caitlyn expect? Though melancholy threatens to flood her chest and drown her, her brow does not crease and she does not sigh. Robotic.

“When we were younger, I saw a Piltover that was plagued with problems. You may not recall... No, it is possible that the Orianna you knew was not like that. Are my expectations a burden upon you?” The question is not rhetorical. It is genuine, a genuine curiosity born of emotional blindness. The muscle memory of her emotions had been robbed from her and now she found both anger and joy hard to place. Her expressions never matched her voice, out of sync with one another. Where her voice sang with melancholy only moments ago, her tone is flat and unshifting as her expression twists instead. This is what is known as ‘baggage’, she thinks. However, when else except during a confession was one meant to speak of their baggage?

“I looked up to you.”

And as she sits there, thinking and thinking and thinking, repeating the same words again and again, she remembers what could have been. Swans dancing on stage, ballerinas twisting and twirling and perfectly in sync. That wasn’t this world anymore. But she remembers. She remembers it all, like a ghost inside her head, screaming, aching, remembering each and every time she died -

“You are. Uncomfortable. With the sight of me. It is rare for me to... find someone who is not. It is rare for me to notice discomfort. But I did notice.” ‘I’m not her’, she realizes she wants to scream, but the desire is so disjointed from her reality that she only furrows her eyebrows in thought. It was this difficult to explain that, thanks to Ekko and Janna, a hundred thousand shattered timelines scraped inside her head like rusted gears. It sounds unreasonable. It sounds unbelievable, lacking the scientific explanation that she so prefers - that she escaped the demands of fate and did not die. Is that even true. Perhaps I am just crazy.

“I apologize, my thoughts have gotten somewhat sidetracked. Nevertheless, I saw twin cities that were short of hope. You may recall that my mother perished to the Blight, the Gray of Zaun. I grew up in my father’s shop, perfecting my skill with prosthetics. My time with you was a reprieve that soothed my heart.” And normally, a woman in her early twenties saying such things would have inflection in her voice, emotion. She has nothing. Sometimes, Orianna thinks, her human body feels like a cage. She looks out at the window, staring at the horizon. Up her neck rises scarring from a lethal discharge of energy that this body has never received. The institute never existed. The Institute killed me. This is where she should sigh, where her lips ought to crease in thought, where her face ought to express what she was feeling. It does not. She does not.

“I believed in you. I still do. I suppose that is not much of a confession. You are famous now. Accomplished. There are many who look up to you now, but when you were just Caitlyn, your belief in ‘what could be’ inspired me. I thought to forsake my specialty in prosthetics and train for the force as well.” And then came the explosion, she leaves hanging.

“When I saw the suffering in Zaun, I thought of my mother. And I thought of you. What you stood for. You may not remember, I may have promised ‘another Caitlyn’, but I said to you that I would make a difference as well. I would not let you do it alone. I would support you. I believed in your dream.” Her voice cracks, for the first time in months, in years.

“I broke my promise with you. I’m very... sorry...” Tears form in the corner of her eyes and she blinks them away, taking a slow breath to even out her emotions. Does she seem fragile in that moment? Does she seem human? She cannot bring herself to look at Caitlyn and confirm it.

“When I saw the suffering in Zaun, I knew I had to go. No matter if I was called foolish or it was dangerous or I had no obligation, I had to go.” She had heard every possible beratement of her decision, and she was personally suffering the consequences. ‘Are you trying to be a hero? Do you think selfless acts mean anything in this city?’ All that and more. But she could not leave it up to Caitlyn. She could not leave it up to Jayce. She could not leave a better tomorrow to other people.

She had promised.

“A better tomorrow.”

And as a result, there was meant to be no more tomorrow for her. Not ever again. She was meant to be condemned to a heartless gilded cage of metal, unbreaking and unfeeling. “I will not break so easily, even in this body,” she says suddenly. Her gaze grows serious as sparks form in her eyes, glowing with purpose. She had to go, and although it was deeply painful that her multiyear stay in Zaun had separated her from her friend - one of her few friends.

Her eyes close as she reaches the end of her confession. Simply, clearly, concisely, she ends where all stories ought to end - the ending. The future was here and now, a better tomorrow was here and now.

“And I do not regret my decision. I am stronger for having known you and a better person for having had your company.

I am here, now, and I will not give up on a better future for everyone else.” She has left enough clues on the table for Sheriff Caitlyn Huxley to piece together that Orianna Reveck would not live to see it.

...And then, letting out an awkward little cough that makes her seem so very human, she continues.

“Although what I really wished to say was, ‘It is very good to see you again.’ I had a feeling that would not be acceptable, however.”